CARTERET COUNTY, N.C. (December 13, 2024) – Carteret County Manager Tommy Burns, who led the county to financial stability and through historic challenges, has announced his resignation, effective Feb. 12, 2025. After more than eight years of service, Burns is stepping down to spend more time with his family, including his ailing father.
“Serving the residents and employees of Carteret County has been a true honor,” said Burns. “From the day I was hired, my commitment was to ensure the county operated efficiently while prioritizing the needs of our community. This decision was not easy, but I feel the time has come to dedicate more time to my family, particularly to my ailing father who lives in western North Carolina. I am deeply grateful to the current and past Board of Commissioners, Deputy County Manager and Finance Director Dee Meshaw, and our hardworking staff for their support throughout my tenure.”
During his time as county manager, Burns led the county through Hurricanes Florence and Dorian, providing decisive leadership during these natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic. Together with Mrs. Meshaw, he secured the county’s coveted AAA bond rating. This achievement laid a foundation for long-term fiscal stability and enabled critical infrastructure investments.
In addition to his financial leadership, Burns ensured the county received National Opioid Settlement funds. These funds have been used to support addiction prevention and recovery programs that have benefited thousands of residents. Most recently, Burns was deployed to western North Carolina to assist with recovery efforts following Tropical Storm Helene. He played a key role in the Town of Old Fort, one of the hardest-hit areas, where he helped restore essential infrastructure and services.
Carteret County Board of Commissioners Chairman Chris Chadwick expressed gratitude for Burns’ leadership and acknowledged his decision to prioritize family. “Tommy has been a steadfast leader and an invaluable asset to Carteret County,” said Chadwick. “His steady guidance during challenging times, from hurricanes to the pandemic, helped our community emerge stronger and more resilient. We fully support his decision to be closer to his aging parents and prioritize his family during this important time. In Carteret County, we hold family as one of our core values, and Tommy’s dedication to his loved ones is a testament to the same principles we strive to uphold as a community. We are grateful for his service and wish him all the best as he begins this next chapter of his life.”
Vice Chairman Mark Mansfield echoed these sentiments, saying, "We all owe Tommy a debt of gratitude for his exceptional leadership. His foresight not only secured the AAA bond rating, but also led to programs like the opioid addiction initiatives that directly improve lives. Beyond financial achievements, Tommy's leadership during natural disasters like Hurricanes Florence and Dorian, and his recent deployment to assist recovery efforts in western North Carolina, demonstrate his commitment to the well-being of our community. While we'll miss his expertise, we fully understand and support his decision to prioritize his family. We thank him for his tireless efforts.”
A native of Shelby, N.C., Burns has over two decades of municipal and county management experience, including roles in Wayne and Harnett counties and the towns of Spring Lake, Lillington, and Coats. His guiding principle has always been to leave communities stronger than when he arrived.
The Board of Commissioners will soon begin the process of identifying either an interim or permanent replacement for Burns. As Carteret County embarks on this transition, the Board remains committed to building on the strong foundation Burns helped establish.
For updates on the transition process, visit www.carteretcountync.gov.
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